Shih Tzu- Munchkin and Fudge
Munchkin and Fudge
by Robert Hudson
The Shih Tzu is the worlds favorite cuddle bug with a cute factor off the scale. Their adorable face and playful antics is endearing to your soul. To learn more about this, we spoke to Cindy- the proud dog mom of Munchkin and Fudge.
Munchkin is a little darling girl at 10 years old and Fudge is a little pup at five months old. To see these two play together is a joy.
“I knew I wanted a small cute stuffed animal looking dog. My mom’s friend had a shih tzu who my mom was with daily and she was always telling me about what a great dog it was all around. Cute, loving, playful, friendly, great personalities and a bonus that they don’t shed. Munchkin was my first shih tzu,” Cindy told me.
The Fan Frenzy
Cindy created a Facebook page for Munchkin and her following began to grow. Then Good Morning America called.
“GMA reached out to us to be on an episode of their show about dogs. They thought we were local to them in NY, and when they found out we were in CA they flew us out there on short notice. It was so much fun to see behind the scenes and how it all works. Everyone was so nice and loved Munchkin. It was a great experience and one of the highlights we’ll always remember. They even played Munchkin’s treadmill video on the big screen in Times Square!
Life Lessons
Cindy learned how to care for her Shih Tzu as she went along. She discovered she prefers to keep Munchkin’s coat short so it’s easier to manage and requires less brushing. “I get them professionally groomed once a month, I give them a bath in between grooming every other week or every week, depending on what they’ve been doing and if they did anything to get them more dirty. I keep their hair on the shorter side so I brush them every few days. If you keep shih tzu hair longer then they should be brushed daily.”
Grooming Your Shih Tzu
As stated above, it is crucial you brush the Shih Tzu daily for a long coat, and less often with a short cut. This will keep the coat tangle free, cleaner, and healthier. There are different styles from a total shave to a very long and flowing coat and everything in between. The most common styles are:
- The Puppy Cut
- Puppy Cut with Longer Ears and Tail
- Moderate Puppy Cut
- Lion cut
- Teddy bear cut
- Practical top knot
- Top knot show cut
For more information on grooming your Shih Tzu , we recommend http://www.allshihtzu.com/ and https://www.everythingshihtzu.com/7-best-haircuts-for-shihtzu.html
Fudge the Shih Tzu
Fudge is just a puppy and he is a little dickens! Just look at that face! “I’ve wanted another shih tzu for myself for years because Munchkin is the best dog I’ve ever had, and I fell in love with the breed because of her. I also wanted to get a sibling for her, since she loves other dogs and when any dog friends come over she gets super excited and shares all her toys and bones. So I knew she’d love to have a sibling to play with whenever she wants.”
Munchkin and Fudge have already become inseparable and are hilarious to watch. “They have bonded and it makes me so happy! I knew Munchkin would love him eventually but I really thought it would take many months, because sometimes puppies under 10 months old bug her with their puppiness. So when she initiated playing with him just short of a week of him being home I was happily shocked!”
Shih Tzu Exercise and Play
Cindy has a play and exercise schedule for her Shih Tzu- Munchkin and Fudge. “I take them for walks twice a day, unless it’s raining hard then we skip the walk. I keep a pee pad inside since they’re small, for cases like hard rain or emergencies if they need it. The walks are good for fresh air and exploring and saying hi to people and other dogs, and they’re especially good for Fudge right now to help expose him to all things outside and not have him be afraid of anything, which so far he’s not and that’s great.”
When not outside the home becomes a play ground for the dogs and a Shih Tzu comic show for Cindy.
“The two of them together play and wrestle every day. When Munchkin has had enough or is done she gets up on the couch (where he can not get up himself yet) to nap and just ignores him. They make me laugh every day with their play and I love seeing them interact with each other. It really warms my heart.”
Cindy continued: “One thing Fudge has picked up on from Munchkin is when I’m training him with treats for basic commands. He gets so excited and super wiggly, then he just starts doing one of everything he knows plus adding sneezes in, like he’s saying “What do you want I’ll do it whatever it is”. Munchkin was the same exact way as a puppy, and I think he’s picked up the sneezing for treats from seeing Munchkin do it. One of her only “tricks” is if I ask her if she has a cold she sneezes.”
Behavior problems for Munchkin and Fudge
There has not been any major behavior problems according to Cindy. “I wouldn’t say behavior issues, just stubbornness. Sometimes in the way of Munchkin wants to do what she wants to do when she wants to do it, and she gets stubborn. Fudge is still in the training stages so I’m hoping to train him a little better in a couple areas where Munchkin’s shortfalls are, (lose leash walking and coming when called”.
Nothing but Love
“Munchkin has taught me unconditional love, to enjoy the little things in life, to take time out for play, and to be there for you (people) in both good times and bad. She has helped me through a couple of the worst times in my life. She also makes me laugh every day, and now Fudge is doing the same with his own quirky weirdo personality coming through,” Cindy said with glee.
Munchkin and Fudge on Facebook
